In a notable political development ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle, a large number of leaders and workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nungba have formally joined the Indian National Congress (INC) during a Block-Level Congress Workers’ Conference-cum-Reception held at Nungba Common Ground today.
Organised by the Nungba Block Congress Committee, the programme witnessed the participation of an estimated 5,000 delegates from across the 54-Nungba Assembly Constituency, indicating renewed mobilisation efforts by the Congress at the grassroots level.
The event began with an invocation prayer by Gaiphurei Panmei, Associate Pastor of Luangba Baptist Church, followed by a welcome and keynote address from Wilson Gangmei, Vice President of Tamenglong District Congress Committee. Cultural performances by Congress mahila members from Nungba added a traditional dimension to the gathering, while a special prayer for the intending candidate was led by Lungchui Rongmei, former pastor of Tajeikaiphun Baptist Church.
The highlight of the programme was the formal induction of several BJP leaders and workers into the Congress fold. The reception was facilitated by Ningtinglung Kamei in the presence of senior party leaders, including Gaikhangam Gangmei, Member of the Congress Working Committee and former Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, and Adai Phaomei, intending candidate for 54-Nungba Assembly Constituency and President of the District Congress Committee for Tamenglong and Noney.
Other leaders present included Alar Thoitak, Convenor of the Steering Committee, John Pamei, General Secretary of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, Thuijingam Gangmei, Secretary of Nungba Block Congress Committee, and Zino Kamei, former Vice-Chairman of the Autonomous District Council, Tamenglong.
Addressing the gathering, several of the newly inducted members stated that their decision to join the Congress was driven by expectations of long-term and inclusive development in the region.
Adai Phaomei expressed gratitude to the new entrants and party workers for organising the programme, and called for unity to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. He also sought continued public support for his political journey.
Gaikhangam Gangmei, reflecting on his political experience, thanked the gathering for their sustained support and appealed to the electorate to extend backing to the Congress candidate in the forthcoming elections.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Kachamthai Dangmei, President of Nungba Block Congress Committee, followed by a closing prayer by Pastor Graceson Kamei of SDA Church, Nungba.
Party leaders described the large-scale shift from the BJP to the Congress as a significant morale booster, projecting it as an indicator of growing support for the party’s development agenda in the Nungba area.